When you step into Anita Balkun's art studio on the second floor of the Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon, CT you never know what exciting "mess" you are stepping into or onto. In fact you have to be careful where you step because the boundaries between art, salvage and trash is sometimes hard to figure out.

A Playground For Recycled Art At The Farmington Valley Arts Center

One thing is for sure, Anita's studio is a jungle of joy and a playground for artists and vistors who appreciate conceptual aand recycled art. I have been to her studio many times photographing her work in progress. But by the time I want to tell the world about what Anita is doing and encourage others to come see her latest work of art, Anita is onto another grand installation.Visiting Anita Balkun's Studio On Open First Saturdays

This past Saturday, during FVAC Open Studios (first Saturday of each month), I caught Anita dressmaking. She was tailoring a retro inspired dress made out of plastic bubble wrap and brown butcher paper for the upcoming "Trashion Fashion Show". The dress was well on it's way, dangling low from the ceiling on a wire hanger so that Anita could add a paper sash and matching paper rosettes.

The costume Anita was creating is for the 2nd Annual Trashion Fashion Show sponsored by the XL Center. Taking place at ArtSpace in Hartford, this event celebrates Earth Day on Saturday, April, 21st, from 7-10 pm. You will find funky and outrageous apparel made out of garbage, plastic containers, candy wrappers, bottle caps, paper bags, soda cans, plastic bubble packing, plastic bags and so much more.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.
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